Complaints
41
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1986 Chevrolet Caprice Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#111 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
#24 complaints
Brake Master Cylinder
#33 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:2
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Drum | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:Drum
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Hood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Chevrolet Caprice Years
1986 Chevrolet Caprice — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1986 Chevrolet Caprice has 41 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components with 11 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components (11 complaints); Brake Master Cylinder (4 complaints); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice?
NHTSA complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice include 1 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1986 Chevrolet Caprice as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1986 Chevrolet Caprice?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Caprice reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1986 Chevrolet Caprice
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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